When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.

It is not fair to say that all these conditions are only associated with flip flops. Any type of non supportive or open back type shoe can lead to some of these problems. It should also be noted that some individials are less inclined to suffer these symptoms than others. People with excessively high arched feet or excessively flat feet or certainly more vulnerable than those with a more neutral type of foot If your foot is more on the flat side then a shoe with a firmer type sole with less flex and a firm counter would be a better choice. Those with a supinated foot type can also suffer from recurrent stress fractures due to the reduced amount of shock absorption. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a stress fracture occurs when the muscles are over-used and do not absorb shock properly, transferring the forces to the bone. The repetitive stress can cause a small crack or fracture in bones of the foot or ankle. The pain of a stress fracture appears suddenly and goes away with rest. Over time, the pain can become debilitating, requiring complete rest of the affected leg or foot including the use of crutches in order to get around. Plantar Fasciitis As we see, metatarsalgia symptoms are quite similar to symptoms of some other foot problems and hence, it is essential to have a proper diagnosis of the condition before commencing the treatment. Therefore, it is essential to consult the doctor. Examination of the foot and X-ray can be helpful to diagnose metatarsalgia. The doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory medications and pain killers that help in easing pain, swelling and burning feet. Secondly, physical therapy is another method of treating the pain and swelling caused due to this condition. One can even make use of the ice packs for treating metatarsalgia. Cavus foot refers to an abnormally high arch and because of this high arch structure, an excessive amount of weight is placed on the ball and heel of the foot when standing. Cavus foot can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, particularly pain and instability and it can develop at any age, and can occur in one or both feet. People with high arches are often times vulnerable to overuse injuries during sports and exercise because their feet aren’t good shock absorbers, due to less surface contact with the ground. Signs and Symptoms. The causes of Metatarsalgia a painful malady are many. Women suffer more frequently than men, due to their high-heeled narrow shoes. Wearing high heels puts added pressure on the metatarsal heads. Plus, if the shoes are too narrow, this can put pressure on the anterior metatarsal arch. This arch normally flexes up and down as you walk. However if the shoes you are wearing are too tight and the ends of the arch are made rigid and thus no longer flexible, the result may be that one or more of the metatarsals drops out of alignment. Before purchasing a running shoe, determine what your foot shape is-flat or high arched-by stepping onto a plushy carpet or rug. A flat foot will leave a complete imprint, showing the entire sole of the foot, while the high-arched foot will leave a very narrow imprint between the heel and the sole of your foot. After this is determined, you will know exactly what to look for at the shoe store. For the flat-footed, stay away from soft cushiony shoes, and opt for a firm midsole. The opposite of this would hold true for high-arched-footed people. Common Pitfalls